US Ambassador Mr. Timothy J. Roemer visits Sanjay Gandhi settlement

On April 26th 2011, HOPE worldwide had the privilege of welcoming the United States Ambassador Timothy J. Roemer for a site visit at Sanjay Gandhi settlement. Erin Soto, Mission Director USAID also accompanied him.

Sanjay Gandhi settlement, located in the Central District of New Delhi, is home to about 12,000 people of predominantly Below Poverty Line (BPL).

At Sanjay Gandhi settlement HOPE worldwide is implementing two programs: Health of the Urban Poor funded by the Population Foundation of India and supported by USAID, to develop a model urban health program for urban poor living in the settlement and Advanced Cook Stoves promotion funded by Abs Associates and supported by USAID, to improve the health of the urban poor by educating the community about harmful effects of indoor air pollution.

The women who had gathered to attend the meet shared about the positive changes brought into their lives through the health counselling of the HOPE worldwide staff. One expectant mother shared how she was convinced to register herself in a local hospital for safe delivery of her child. Another woman shared how she had started to follow for the first time the immunization chart for her youngest child.

Few beneficiaries of the Advanced Cook Stoves shared how its use had made their life easier. The food cooked faster, used less wood and the utensils were easy to clean in the limited supply of water that they receive.

Everyone enjoyed the moment when the Ambassador joined hands with one of the women in cooking "Kheer", and Indian sweet dish made from rice and milk.

The Ambassador was happy to meet with the residents of the settlement, oversee the functioning of U.S. government funded programs and see its impact on the lives of the residents. In his speech Mr Ambassador shared how much important it is to him to meet the people from the community as it is for him to meet the big political leaders of India.
HOPE worldwide COO Mr Gimms Andrews added to these sentiments with greetings, emphasizing the need to effectively continue the work and thanked the Ambassador for his visit.